Updates on Draftable Ponies

[davidpaul123]

On whether SMU's Emmanuel Sanders or Shawnbrey McNeal will be drafted and when Sanders has value as both a slot receiver and kick returner. I could see him in the third or fourth round. McNeal has value as a third-down back because of his pass-catching skills. But at 5-9, 194, I'm not sure he's going to be more than a speed bump for blitzing linebackers. I believe he will be drafted but it will be in the later rounds.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com ... go-in.html

[RGV Pony]

Interesting...the blurb mentions Shipley first. Watching the combine, Shipley was outperformed by ES in nearly every category.

[Dooby]

That is huge if the Goose thinks McNeal will get drafted and ES may go in the 3rd round. Gossellin is seriously plugged in and is a draft guru second to none. Good chance it happens.

[davidpaul123]

The latest on ES:

With less than two weeks before the NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to visit with big-name college prospects.

On Friday the Steelers announced they are meeting with Texas safety Earl Thomas, Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn and Southern Methodist receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_ ... t-steelers

[Dark Horse]

Baltimore and Jacksonville, at least, also seriously interested in Sanders.

Reading more and more stuff about McCann being draftable, too. Sure hope so.

[Dark Horse]

Interesting...the blurb mentions Shipley first. Watching the combine, Shipley was outperformed by ES in nearly every category.

Funny you should mention Shipley. Last week in Austin, his brother ran in the Texas Relays. 100-meter hurdles, I think.

Before the start of the race, Bill Melton — yes, THAT Bill Melton — was announcing the participants. He named the first 8, and then said something like "and in lane 9 ... pay attention to this name ... Jackson Shipley!" Texas fans cheered.

The younger Shipley finished last by about 10 yards.

[Stallion]

was that a preliminary heat of which there are 3-5 or so or the Finals. Our guy Hayden Greenbauer had a real bad time in the 110 Meter Hurdles finishing about at 15.50(from memory) and finished out of the Top 40 or so. As I've posted he has run much faster in 2 prior meets including one at 14.38. Getting to the finals is quite an accomplishment

[Stallion]

Shipley finished 2nd in his prelims so at least he got to the Finals

[davidpaul123]

Number 13 o nthe big board for RBs....

13. Shawnbrey McNeal, SMU--track star-turned-RB with very good outside burst and good enough hands to handle being a RB/slot receiver hybrid. Rarely breaks tackles and isn’t real elusive for a smaller back. Very slightly built upper body. Reminds me a lot of a skinny Aveion Cason. 5th-6th round.

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_wiret ... big_board/

[davidpaul123]

The Underrated

RB Shawnbrey McNeal, Southern Methodist

Why McNeal is Underrated: He originally enrolled at the University of Miami, but after earning a grand total of 33 carries for 152 yards and 3 scores in two years while sitting behind Javarris James and Graig Cooper, he transferred to S.M.U. The Mustangs’ offense proved to be an excellent fit for McNeal. In his only season as a starter, the junior gained nearly 1,500 total yards and scored 14 touchdowns. McNeal is underrated because of three factors: he has only one season as a starter; S.M.U. doesn’t use a pro-style offense; and at 190 pounds, he is considered light for a potential feature back.

Why McNeal Has Promise: Coach June Jones says McNeal is the best receiving back he has ever coached, and that includes his tenure in the N.F.L. Known as a dangerous open field runner with speed, lateral agility and cutback skills, McNeal also knows how to get small in traffic to gain extra yardage between the tackles. He will never be a punishing runner, but unlike many backs with his elusiveness, McNeal is willing to lower his pads and initiate contact with defenders when necessary.

Bottom Line: A lot of people automatically say a 5’10” 190-pound back is too small to be an every-down runner. Those same people don’t factor in that young players are still developing physically. Clinton Portis, Priest Holmes and Terrell Davis are just a few examples of runners considered small by pro standards, but all three proved they had feature back talent and added muscle to their frames as their careers progressed.


http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010 ... the-n-f-l/

[davidpaul123]

The Underrated

WR Emmanuel Sanders, Southern Methodist

Why Sanders is Underrated: S.M.U. has adopted June Jones’s spread style offense, which is a direct descendant from the run-and-shoot. The knock on this scheme is that receivers produce showy stats in a simplified system, which often masks individual weaknesses that N.F.L. defenses will exploit. At 5’11” and 186 pounds, Sanders lacks the optimal dimensions of a big-time prospect. What some organizations see in Sanders is a mid-to-late round pick because his physical dimensions, college competition and college scheme aren’t “prototypical.”

Why Sanders Has Promise: Sanders is among the best deep threats in this draft class. He is highly adept at tracking the ball on downfield routes, catches well in traffic and possesses good judgment on when to lay out for a pass and when to run through it. His skills after the catch are very strong, because in addition to a quick first step, open-field vision and elusiveness, Sanders is not averse to lowering his shoulders and splitting defenders to finish plays.

Bottom Line: Sanders is physically very similar to pros DeSean Jackson and Ted Ginn Jr. However, Sanders is closer to Jackson than Ginn Jr. because he catches with good technique and can do so after taking a hit. If Ginn Jr. were at S.M.U. and Sanders at Ohio State, I believe no team would have taken Ginn in the first two rounds of the draft, but Sanders would go 2-3 rounds higher than he is projected.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010 ... the-n-f-l/

[indianmustang]

any reports on chase or bryan McCann

[davidpaul123]

any reports on chase or bryan McCann

the only thing I saw on McCann is the cowboys were interested. Dont think he will get drafted but would be more of a FA. Kennemer seems unlikely to get picked up although he may get an invite to a camp.

[indianmustang]

136. Emmanuel Sanders, WR SMU 5-11, 186
With 4.44 speed and excellent jumping ability, he’s a terrific athlete who negates his lack of size by being able to jump out of the stadium. He’ll work for a catch and is never afraid to try to make the tough play, and while his deep speed is excellent, his quickness and cutting ability is even better. There are character issues, though, having been suspended from the team after having problems missing meetings and not being on time enough. He’s not big, but he has the quickness to be a dangerous slot receiver and a great third target in a Wes Welker-like mold.
CFN Projection: Third Round

http://cfn.scout.com/2/963873.html

[indianmustang]

175. Shawnbrey McNeal, RB SMU 5-9, 194 (Jr.)
After doing the near impossible and putting up big rushing numbers in a June Jones passing offense, he had to leave early to help take care of some family issues. While he was a Texas state champion sprinter, he timed shockingly slow (a 4.53) for a player of his size (or lack of it). He’s faster on the field with a great burst through the hole and the hands to be used in a variety of ways in the passing game. While he’s not going to be an every-down back by any means, he could find a role as a third down back.
CFN Projection: Sixth Round

http://cfn.scout.com/2/963874.html